PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE - PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION - PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINES - PNEUMOCOCCAL IMMUNIZATION - ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS

What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. When these bacteria invade the lungs, they can cause pneumonia. They also can cause blood infection (sepsis) and infection of the tissues and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Among adults, the elderly and those with special health concerns (e.g., certain kinds of cancer, kidney failure and diabetes) are at highest risk from the disease.

What are the symptoms of pneumococcal disease?
The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. The symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include stiff neck, fever, mental confusion and disorientation, and sensitivity to light. The symptoms of pneumococcal blood infection may be similar to some of the symptoms of pneumonia and meningitis, along with joint pain and chills.

Which adults should get vaccinated?

• People with a serious long-term health problem such as heart disease, sickle cell disease, alcoholism, leaks of cerebrospinal fluid, chronic lung disease (such as COPD, emphysema or asthma), diabetes or liver cirrhosis
• People with reduced resistance to infection due to Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs, treatment with long-term steroids, bone marrow or organ transplant, kidney damage or failure, HIV/AIDS, lymphoma, leukemia, or other cancers, damaged spleen or no spleen
• Everyone 65 years of age and older
• People with asthma
• Smokers

Older persons and those with certain underlying illnesses, such as heart disease chronic lung disease (such as COPD, emphysema or asthma), diabetes or liver cirrhosis, may have less robust immune responses to vaccination. However, vaccination in this vulnerable population can reduce the severity of the disease, helping to prevent complications, including hospitalization or even death.

The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is up to 75 percent effective for prevention of invasive pneumococcal infection caused by the 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria contained in the vaccine.

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Pneumococcal Disease Information